Velcrands are a specific class of cavitands whose complementary surfaces induce self-dimerization. The insertion of a velcrand as physical cross-linking unit into a polymer is reported. To this purpose, the velcrand was functionalized at the lower rim with an isocyanate group. The functional velcrand was reacted with poly (ethylene-co-(2-hydroxethylmethacrylate)) (PE-HEMA), a polymer equipped with free hydroxyl groups suitable for reaction with the isocyanate group. The obtained functionalized polymer was characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), proving the introduction of velcraplexes in the polymer. Films with varying amounts of velcrands were obtained by solution casting and slow evaporation, testifying the processability of the functionalized polymers. The obtained films were used to measure the oxygen barrier properties of the functionalized material.
Keywords: PE-HEMA; polyethylene; quinoxaline cavitand; velcrand.